The One Who Can’t Sit Still (and Other Kids We’re Desperate to Love)

“A grace-filled, deeply practical guide for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed at the thought of including children with additional needs in their ministry. Sarah Thrift offers not a one-size-fits-all formula but a Christ-centered framework for seeing and serving every child as fearfully and wonderfully made. This is a book the church has desperately needed.”

“While reading The One Who Can’t Sit Still, I could easily picture kids and teens at my church who need extra support to feel comfortable and participate—the ones who fidget through the sermon, or hang back at the edge of the youth group circle, or need a little more patience than our usual routines allow. Sarah’s clear examples and practical advice will help us help them, giving ministry leaders concrete tools and proven solutions. I know this book will make our churches more welcoming places for the kids who need that welcome the most.”

“If you serve in children’s or youth ministry, please read this book! Sarah Thrift brings years of ministry experience, clear theological thinking and a careful understanding of life as it is experienced by the child or young person with additional needs. This is a book full of practical help, genuine compassion and love for Jesus.”

“A must-have resource for any group or individual involved in church ministry. Sarah skilfully combines practical wisdom, biblical reflection and a refreshing willingness to challenge our assumptions. Whatever stage or size of ministry you are coming from, this will motivate and challenge you to think carefully and lovingly about how to welcome and support every individual who comes into your care.”

“The perfect guide for any Christian leader who wants to include young people who have disabilities in church life, especially children and teens with social, emotional and behavioral needs. Sarah Thrift makes it clear that such young ones are not problems to be managed but people to be celebrated! I recommend this hands-on volume that’ll help you offer every child hope, dignity and a special place in the body of Christ.”

“For any children’s or youth worker or church leader looking to turn their community into a place of radical, accessible welcome and belonging for everyone, this book is an indispensable guide. It moves church teams from a place of fear of additional needs into a space of joyful, confident and faithful ministry for all. I really love this book and can’t recommend it highly enough.”

“The One Who Can’t Sit Still is thoughtful, realistic and practical. Sarah Thrift encourages us to begin by being observant and getting to know our children and young people well, so that we can find the best ways to help them meet Jesus and engage in our groups. She offers lots of wisdom and helpful suggestions, and provides space to pray for the children we meet with week by week. This is a book I’ll be dipping into again and again.”

“Blending theology and practical suggestions, this wonderful book calls us not to be experts but to love each needy young person in front of us. It is God-centred, thoughtful, honest and pastoral. An excellent resource for every kids’ and youth ministry volunteer—and for every church leader!”